Reverse micelles

Reverse micelles are aggregates of small molecules such as surfactants that assemble in non-aqueous solutions at levels above the critical micelle concentration. In contrast to normal micelles, the hydrophilic portions associate in the interior of the aggregates, creating tiny water pools within an oily continuous phase. They manipulate localized solvent polarity, for example in enzyme catalysis, where they provide a hydrophilic environment for enzymes operating in an otherwise non-aqueous solvent, and they are also used for selective extraction from mixed solvent systems.